YORKTON - Giving young curlers a good foundation is important to the sport’s future.
To help young players develop core skills a series of Viterra Prairieland Curling Camps are being held in four centres in Saskatchewan.
Sunday was Yorkton’s turn and 56 youth were on hand for six hours of instruction.
“It’s a great number. It’s good to see,” said Jamie Regier, Community Development Coordinator with CurlSask.
The camp was open to youth up to 18 years of age.
Among those taking part in Yorkton were five youngsters completely new to curling.
“We took them on a separate sheet to work with them,” said Regier.
The other players spent the morning session refining skills such as sliding and brushing, and focusing on some in-game strategies, taught by volunteers from the Yorkton Curling Club.
In the afternoon the youth would play games to institute what they learned, said Regier.
Now in their fourth year, the camps are helping build a foundation for curling’s future.
“Some are coming back year after year, learning more skills and developing as players,” said Regier.
As a follow-up to the camp Regier said the local curling club may hold an event.
And, there is a singles program which builds on skills.
Using an ‘App’ youth work individually with a coach on select skills – for example hit and rolls – explained Regier. The actual roll is measured and submitted by the coach.
In March a provincial event involving Saskatchewan and Manitoba will bring the top 27 male and 27 females to Yorkton for a final event, he noted.
